Kitchen implement for food preparation

ABSTRACT

A tostonera comprises a first press member, a base member having the first press member movably associated therewith, and a second press member movably associated with the base member opposite the first press member and having one or more punches projecting outwardly from a surface facing the base member. One or more relatively shallow recesses are formed in the base member facing the first press member, and one or more relatively deep recesses formed in the base member facing the second press member, the one or more punches matingly coupling therewith.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from co-pending provisional applicationSer. No. 60/669,609 which was filed on Apr. 8, 2005, and which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of kitchen implements and,more particularly, to an implement a Latin American/Caribbean foodprepared from plantains and known as “tostones.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Tostones is a Caribbean and Latin American dish which consists oftwice-fried green plantains or green bananas. A plantain is a largefruit resembling a banana, but larger, and botanically classified in adifferent species from regular bananas. Plantains are employed in makingseveral different Caribbean and Latin American food recipes, includingsoups.

A tostón (singular) or tostones (plural) is a food made, typically, fromgreen plantains. The plantains are peeled and cut into rounds of perhapsabout one inch thick, although the specific thickness depends on thepreference of the chef. The cut rounds are then deep fried until theybegin to show a golden color. They are then removed from the oil, cooleda bit, and flattened by pressing down on them. Individual cooks havetheir own ways of flattening the plantain rounds into tostones, andthere are many different approaches to this operation. Some will use adish, a cup, a can, a flat-bottomed bottle, and any other available andsuitable device. Some will put the partially fried tostones between twolayers of brown paper bag material, such as brown paper grocery bags,and flatten the tostones by pounding down on them with a closed fist.Some will use an old device called a tostonera, which is a small presshaving two flat members connected to each other by a hinge. The tostónis placed between the flat members of the tostonera and squashed untilit is approximately half an inch thick, again the thickness depending onpreference of the cook. Once flattened, the tostones are returned to thehot oil and deep fried once more until they become crisp and turn agolden-brown color. Tostones are typically served as a side dish withmeats and seafoods, and are often garnished with a garlic-citrus saucecalled mojo.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To date, the only available type of implement for making tostones hasbeen the tostonera, as shown in FIG. 6. The tostonera is a simple press,having either flat or textured surfaces between which to flatten thetostones into their traditional shape. This old device provides limitedutility, since the cook cannot easily prepare variations on the maintheme of tostones. Therefore, it would be of advantage to provide akitchen implement which could easily produce not only the traditionaltostones, but also tostones having a different shape which could lead tothe development of new recipes.

The present invention, an improved tostonera is shown in FIGS. 1-5. Itis a double-sided press which when used on a first side producestraditional tostones, but when used on the second side produces tostoneshaving a depression in the middle and suitable for being filled withanother food, for example, shredded beef, small pieces of lobster, cutshrimp, or any other desired filling. These tostones are, essentially,shaped as small cups, as illustrated in FIG. 5. They make idealappetizers and provide opportunities for the creation of many new recipecombinations, as seen in FIG. 6. Furthermore, the tostonera of thepresent invention may be dimensioned to provide for the pressing ofmultiple tostones simultaneously, which will greatly aid in thecommercial production of tostones in restaurant kitchens. Those skilledin the culinary arts will recognize that while the present invention isprimarily described for use in making tostones, any type of soft orsemi-soft, moldable food may be pressed in the device, for example,dough for bread or for cookies.

The present device comprises three members which, solely for purposes ofidentification are designated as two outer members, and a middle member,or as press members and base member. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the middlemember serves as the base member against which an outer member presseswhen processing food. On one side of the tostonera the first outermember has a flat or textured surface which moves toward an opposingsurface of the middle member when pressing. The opposing surface of themiddle member may have one or more circular areas which generally definewhere the tostones will be pressed. On the other side of the tostonera,the second outer member has one or more protrusions which when the pressis closed fit into one or more complementary depressions formed in themiddle member, as shown in FIGS. 3-4. Protrusions on the second outermember are preferably rounded, ball-like knobs, and depressions in themiddle member are preferably cylindrical, but both may be any shapedesired, for example, for forming an ornamental design in the food beingpressed, such as a star shape, a triangle, etc.

As noted briefly above, the tostonera press herein described may befabricated in a size having multiple areas for pressing tostones. Withsuch a press, a restaurant would be able to more rapidly prepare a largenumber of tostones, whether in their traditional shape or whether shapedas cups to be filled with any desired content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the present inventionhaving been stated, others will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,presented solely for exemplary purposes and not with intent to limit theinvention thereto, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a standing perspective view of the tostonera press accordingto an embodiment of the present invention showing both sides of thepress;

FIG. 2 depicts a front perspective view of a flat side of the press ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a cup side of the press of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a front perspective view of the press of FIG. 1 in a largercapacity model, showing the cup side of the press;

FIG. 5 shows cup shaped tostones made with the tostonera press of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 depicts the cup shaped tostones of FIG. 5 being filled forappetizers; and

FIG. 7 is a prior art tostonera.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodimentsof the invention are shown. Unless otherwise defined, technical andscientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionpertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to thosedescribed herein can be used in the practice or testing of the presentinvention, suitable methods and materials are described below. Anypublications, patent applications, patents, and other referencesmentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Incase of conflict, the present specification, including any definitions,will control. In addition, the materials, methods and examples given areillustrative in nature only and not intended to be limiting.Accordingly, this invention may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments setforth herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided solelyfor exemplary purposes so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Other features and advantages of the invention willbe apparent from the following detailed description, and from theclaims.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate the improved tostonera of the present invention.The present tostonera comprises two press members, a base member, one ormore shallow recesses in which to press classic tostones and one or moredeep recesses with mating punches in which to press tostones which arecup shaped. A first press member, also called a first outer member, ispreferably generally planar and is movably connected to a base member,also called herein a middle member. The movable connection may be bymeans of a hinge, as shown in the figures. Additionally, the movableconnection may be by another method or device which permits the press orouter member to be closed against the base or middle member so as topress the food being prepared, the tostones. The base or middle memberhas the first press member movably associated therewith and also has asecond press member movably associated and opposite the first pressmember. The second press member has one or more punches projectingoutwardly from a surface facing the base member. The implement includesone or more relatively shallow recesses formed in the base member facingthe first press member. Additionally, one or more relatively deeprecesses are formed in the base member facing the second press member,the one or more punches matingly coupling therewith.

Yet other structural features of the present improved tostonera includeat least one handle positioned on at least one of the first and secondouter members. The handle may be an extension of the press or outermember, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5. For example, when the first and/orsecond outer members are in a closed position relative to the middlemember, they extend beyond the periphery of the middle member and thisextension serves as a handle for a user to work the press.Alternatively, the handle may be a discrete handle connected to theouter member. Those skilled in the art will understand that a handle maybe variously structured and positioned on the tostonera device. Theskilled will additionally recognize that the present tostonera may bemade of a synthetic material, may be made of wood, or may be made of anyother material suitable for processing food.

Areas of the tostonera wherein the plantain rounds are pressed includethe plurality of relatively shallow recesses, which may be preferablyapproximately one half inch deep. These shallow recesses may be linedwith a non-stick material. On an opposite side of the present tostoneraare disposed a plurality of bowl-shaped recesses, which may also belined with a non-stick material. The second outer member or second pressmember is disposed with one or more punches which are protrusionsextending from a surface of the press member which faces the middle orbase member. These punches are generally complementary to thebowl-shaped relatively deep recesses and the punches may even beweighted to aid in the pressing operation. In one preferred embodimentof the invention, the punch member is dimensioned to occupy a centralarea in the bowl-shaped recess, so that cup-shaped tostones may bepressed, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In use, the improved tostonera of the present invention is employed asfollows. In making tostones the first step is, typically, to peel andcut a desired number of green plantains into rounds. The skilled willunderstand that “green” plantains refers generally to plantains that arenot yet ripe. If ripe plantains are used, the tostones will not come outright according to the traditional recipe. Ripe plantains are used forother Caribbean dishes but not usually for making tostones. The roundsare then fried to a slight golden color in hot oil or grease.

Following this first frying step, the rounds are removed from the hotoil and placed on a drainage medium such as paper towels, or brown papermaterial such as from grocery bags. After slight draining, thehalf-fried rounds are flattened into the typical shape of the tostonesby pressing on them. Cooks have various ways of pressing the tostones,as noted above. Some cooks will place the round between two brown papergrocery bags and pound on it with a closed fist in order to flatten it.Other cooks will use various objects for flattening the tostones, forexample, soft drink bottles, rolling pins, cans, etc. In makingcup-shaped tostones cooks will often use their thumb to create thedesired depression. Because this has traditionally been a manualprocess, it is labor intensive and makes it difficult to producetostones in the larger quantities often required in the restaurant andcatering business.

Once the tostones are shaped by pressing, they are returned to the hotoil for a second frying step. When they are a golden brown, the finishedtostones are removed from the fryer, drained and served while hot. Cupshaped tostones are used in creating hors d'ouvres by topping them withany desired filling, for example, shrimp cocktail, chicken salad, spicedground beef, etc.

Tostones have been made by traditional methods perhaps for hundreds ofyears. Simple presses, such as that shown in FIG. 7, have also beenemployed for making tostones. However, the present improved tostoneraprovides the ability to make either type of traditional tostones, theflattened type or the cup shaped type, and saves space by combining bothimplements into one device. Such a combination implement has not beenpreviously described or suggested and is being welcomed in both privateand commercial kitchens specializing in Latin American and Caribbeancuisine.

Accordingly, in the drawings and specification there have been disclosedtypical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specificterms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only andnot for purposes of limitation. The invention has been described inconsiderable detail with specific reference to these illustratedembodiments. It will be apparent, however, that various modificationsand changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention asdescribed in the foregoing specification and as recited in the appendedclaims.

1. A food preparation implement comprising: a first generally planarouter member; a middle member having said first outer member hingedlyconnected thereto along a first periphery; a second generally planarouter member hingedly connected to said middle member along a secondperiphery, said second outer member having a surface facing said middlemember and having a plurality of punch members extending from saidsurface; a plurality of relatively shallow recesses positioned in afirst surface selected from a surface on said first outer member facingsaid middle member and a surface on said middle member facing said firstouter member; and a plurality of bowl-shaped recesses positioned in asecond surface on said middle member facing said second outer member,said plurality of punch members being complementary to said plurality ofbowl-shaped recesses.
 2. The implement of claim 1, further comprising atleast one handle positioned on at least one of said first and secondouter members.
 3. The implement of claim 1, wherein each member of saidplurality of punch members is weighted.
 4. The implement of claim 1,wherein said first and second outer members when in a closed positionrelative to said middle member extend beyond the periphery of saidmiddle member.
 5. The implement of claim 1, wherein said plurality ofrelatively shallow recesses is no more than approximately one half inchdeep.
 6. The implement of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality ofpunch members is dimensioned to occupy a central area in one of saidplurality of bowl-shaped recesses.
 7. The implement of claim 1, whereinat least one of said plurality of relatively shallow recesses is linedwith a non-stick material.
 8. The implement of claim 1, wherein at leastone of said plurality of bowl-shaped recesses is lined with a non-stickmaterial.
 9. The implement of claim 1, wherein said implement comprisesa synthetic material.
 10. The implement of claim 1, wherein saidimplement comprises wood.
 11. A food preparation implement comprising: afirst outer member; a middle member having said first outer memberpivotably connected thereto; a second outer member pivotably connectedto said middle member opposite said first outer member and having one ormore punch members extending outwardly from a surface facing said middlemember; one or more relatively shallow recesses formed in a surface ofsaid middle member facing said first outer member; and one or morerelatively deep recesses formed in a surface of said middle memberfacing said second outer member, said one or more punch members beingcomplementary to said one or more deep recesses.
 12. The implement ofclaim 11, further comprising one or more handles positioned on saidfirst and second outer members.
 13. The implement of claim 11, whereineach member of said plurality of punch members is weighted.
 14. Theimplement of claim 11, wherein said first and second outer members whenin a closed position relative to said middle member extend beyond theperiphery of said middle member.
 15. The implement of claim 11, whereinsaid plurality of relatively shallow recesses is approximately one halfinch deep.
 16. The implement of claim 11, wherein each of said pluralityof punch members is dimensioned to occupy a central area in one of saidplurality of bowl-shaped recesses.
 17. The implement of claim 11,wherein at least one of said plurality of relatively shallow recesses islined with a non-stick material.
 18. The implement of claim 11, whereinat least one of said plurality of bowl-shaped recesses is lined with anon-stick material.
 19. The implement of claim 11, wherein saidimplement comprises a synthetic material.
 20. The implement of claim 11,wherein said implement comprises wood.
 21. A tostonera comprising: afirst press member; a base member having said first press member movablyassociated therewith; a second press member movably associated with saidbase member opposite said first press member and having one or morepunches projecting outwardly from a surface facing said base member; oneor more relatively shallow recesses formed in said base member facingsaid first press member; and one or more relatively deep recesses formedin said base member facing said second press member, said one or morepunches matingly coupling therewith.
 22. The tostonera of claim 21,further comprising at least one handle positioned on at least one ofsaid first and second press members.
 23. The tostonera of claim 21,wherein at least one of said one or more punches is weighted.
 24. Thetostonera of claim 21, wherein said first and second press members whenin a closed position relative to said base member extend beyond theperiphery of said base member.
 25. The tostonera of claim 21, whereinsaid one or more relatively shallow recesses is approximately one halfinch deep.
 26. The tostonera of claim 21, wherein said at least one ormore punches is dimensioned to occupy a central area in one of saidplurality of bowl-shaped recesses.
 27. The tostonera of claim 21,wherein said at least one or more relatively shallow recesses is linedwith a non-stick material.
 28. The tostonera of claim 21, wherein saidone or more relatively deep recesses is lined with a non-stick material.29. The tostonera of claim 21, wherein said tostonera comprises asynthetic material.
 30. The tostonera of claim 21, wherein saidtostonera comprises wood.